The simple premise put forward in the song Happy Talk could change mindsets and ultimately, lives: “If you don’t have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?”
Still, at the recent press forum tendered by Parañaque City Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. at Café Francais inside BF Homes subdivision, the filmmakers tasked to conduct a series of lectures during the forthcoming Plusiminus Film Camp Digital Filmmaking Workshop, said that when it comes to pursuing a career in the movie industry, having a dream, though important, is not enough.
“It’s easy to say, ‘Wow, I want to become a director!’ or ‘I’m going to make the next ‘Avatar!’ but if you don’t know the fundamentals in filmmaking, it’s likely that your dream will remain, well, just a dream,” said Fil-Am filmmaker Blake Sarion.
Thankfully, the dream of Parañaque’s filmmakers are more likely to come true than those from other cities. Aside from offering the workshop to students for fees that can only be termed as “a steal,” the city media bureau will provide a venue, demo equipment and film scholarships.
Filmmaker Trox Salazar, however, cautions people that they cannot make directors out of all its participants. Rather, the lecturers — who all studied filmmaking at prestigious schools here and abroad — will guide a student into becoming a director or an editor or a cinematographer, etc., according to his aptitude.
“Not everyone can afford to study filmmaking because it is a specialized course. Workshops are a big help because they are hands-on and they might be your first step towards that dream of becoming a filmmaker. Aside from that, workshops are fun like you’re going to an on-the-job training,” said Ivan Togonon who will lecture on producing.
Mayor Bernabe’s good plans for the city’s filmmakers are far-ranging. His vision includes the creation of a Parañaque Film Critics Awards which will give due recognition to outstanding locally produced digital films and electronics media, performances, as well as excellence in broadcasting.
However, even before the idea of holding the workshop was broached to his office, Mayor Bernabe has already been supporting the entertainment sector through other projects. These include the Libreng Pa-sine program for its senior citizens in all movie houses in the city, among other rewards and benefits.
Asked what type of movies he himself enjoys watching, the mayor’s face lit up as he cited light comedies and Kung Fu.
“It’s just that I don’t get to watch films in theaters anymore because of my bodyguards. I tried it before and they ended up watching the movie instead of watching over me,” he joked.
The interest of the city government in digital filmmaking can be traced to its financial contribution in the groundbreaking independent digital film Ugat sa Lupa directed by Ariel Reyes, that was acclaimed at the Cinemalaya Film Competition 2009 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ariel is also Plusiminus Film Camp Workshop Program director.
The workshop, to be held from April 7 to May 10, is open to the public but organizers are particularly encouraging teachers and students of public and private schools and universities, out-of-school-youth, and anyone who may be interested in learning the art and craft of filmmaking as career or hobby.
So, you want to make the next Hurt Locker, Up In the Air, and, yes, even Avatar? You gotta start somewhere.
Try Parañaque.
For details, e-mail plusiminus25@yahoo.com or call Parañaque City Media Bureau, Eduard Blanco/Nelson Lacambra at 827-7279.